POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The RIT men's basketball team fell to Vassar, 67–61, Saturday afternoon. The visiting Tigers led 59–57 in the final minute of regulation before the Brewers forced overtime and outscored RIT 8–2 in the extra period.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Vassar built a 15–6 lead midway through the first half before the Tigers used a 21–13 stretch to pull within 28–27 at halftime.
• RIT held Vassar without a field goal for a four-minute span late in the first half to stay within one possession at the break.
• The Tigers erased a 10-point first-half deficit and later took a 29–28 lead early in the second half with a jumper from junior guard Zac Ditzel.
• Junior forward Nolan Smith hit two key second half three‑pointers, including one to make it 38–40 with 11:58 remaining.
• RIT pulled ahead 59–57 when graduate student forward Josiah Turner made a layup with 49 seconds left before Vassar tied the game with 26 seconds remaining to force overtime.
• Vassar scored the first six points of overtime and held RIT to 1-of-12 shooting in the extra period.

 
GAME NOTES

• Turner led RIT with 16 points on 8-of-17 shooting, adding seven rebounds and two blocks.
• First-year forward Nigel Pierman scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds off the bench.
• The Tigers won the rebounding battle, 44–41, including 12 offensive boards.
• RIT scored 46 points in the paint and received 31 bench points.

 
WHAT'S NEXT
RIT returns home on Friday (Feb. 20) to host Bard at 7:30 p.m. in Clark Gymnasium.